Peter Bedford
MP for Mid Leicestershire
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Why does this Labour Government have such a problem with aspiration given recent cuts to pensioner support, taxing of education, and £5 billion in additional business pressures?
Context
The MP criticised the Labour Government for cuts to pensioners' support, taxing education, and putting pressure on businesses.
Angela Rayner
The hon. Member might not have been here last Parliament when his Government left a black hole of £22 billion, crashed the economy, and saw inflation at 11%, making pensioners worse off.
Session: PMQs
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There are actually over 400 quangos in existence, which spend over £390 billion a year—that is £1 in every £3 spent by the Government. Last year, Ministers promised a full review of those quangos; as an accountant, we would call that zero-based budgeting. Will the Minister tell the House how many of those bodies have been scrapped and how much has been saved?
Context
Quangos spend over £390 billion a year, and last year, Ministers promised a full review. The questioner seeks details on scrapped bodies and savings.
Mark Ferguson
I am afraid that the hon. Member appears to have not fully heard my initial response, which I believe addresses a lot of the issues he has raised. His question was about arm's length bodies, so of course I answered on arm's length bodies—there are 306 of them, and we are reviewing over a third.
Session: Arm’s Length Bodies Review 2026-09-10
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What progress has been made on the review of arm's length bodies?
Context
The review of arm's length bodies is ongoing, affecting over 300 organisations with significant public spending.
Mark Ferguson
The Government have reviewed all 306 active arm's length bodies, and we have commitments to reform over a third of them. Devolution by default means that we will transfer functions of arm's length bodies to local leaders or return them to Departments, because all critical decisions should be taken by Ministers who are directly accountable to Parliament and the public.
Session: Arm’s Length Bodies Review 2026-09-10
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Today, we Conservatives have launched a campaign to save the summer job. Employment rights do not help young people if they cannot get a first experience of work, and they are trapped in a Catch-22 situation of needing experience to get work but not being able to get any during their education years. Young people say it, businesses say it and Alan Milburn, the former Labour Minister, says it. Will the Government now back our plans to save the summer job, cut employment red tape, support seasonal working and lower taxes?
Context
There is a significant number of young people not in education, employment or training, and concerns about the challenges they face.
Kate Dearden
The Opposition's suggestion of getting 13-year-olds to work later hours on a Sunday is simply not serious. What is serious is the review that we have conducted with Alan Milburn on how we can get more young people into employment. We recognise the challenge, and that is why it is an important priority for us. We inherited a situation in which nearly a million young people were not in employment, education or training. That increased by 250,000 before the general election, and the Conservatives did absolutely nothing about it. Young people written off by a legacy of rising youth inactivity and declining apprenticeship jobs. That is why we are serious about this. I appreciate and welcome Alan Milburn's review, which is detailing how we can improve the situation. He has looked at the challenges that we are facing and laid bare the scale of them. We have already taken action to help young people by bringing forward the biggest youth employment reforms to create 500,000 opportunities for young people through our £2.5 billion youth guarantee, and we will continue to do more.
Session: Employment Rights Act 2025 2026-07-02
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Over 700,000 young people are now out of work. That figure is up 100,000 year on year, and the youth unemployment rate is now at over 16%. As this is likely to be the ministerial team's final question time, will the Secretary of State reflect on the damage that the Employment Rights Act 2025 and national insurance increases have had on youth unemployment? Behind all those figures are stories of young people not earning or learning. They do not need yet more billion-pound Government schemes. They need a growing economy with businesses that want to hire them. Will the next Government finally deliver that?
Context
Over 700,000 young people are now out of work. The figure is up by 100,000 year on year, and the youth unemployment rate is now at over 16%.
Pat McFadden
We have the second-fastest growing economy in the G7, we have 400,000 more people in work than we did last year and the number of young people in employment is up by 74,000 since the election. In the whole 14 years in which the hon. Member's party was in power, it went up by only 1,000.
Session: Unemployed Young People 2026-06-29
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With a 1 million NEET figure, apprenticeships are key to youth support. However, the Department's own apprenticeship numbers dropped from 5,000 in 2024 to 3,500 in 2025. Is this hypocrisy?
Context
The number of young people not in education, employment or training remains high at the 1 million mark. Apprenticeships are seen as crucial for supporting youth opportunity and aspiration.
Pat McFadden
Work is key to escaping poverty and recent figures show more youth apprenticeship starts with higher achievement rates. Reforms aim at directing money where it is most needed for young people entering apprenticeships.
Session: Apprenticeships
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Last week, a former Attorney General wrote that there was no legal reason for the Government not to publish a list of the Humble Address documents being withheld by the Metropolitan police. Will the Government publish that list?
Darren Jones
We are working in co-operation with the Metropolitan police. As the hon. Member would expect, and as I am sure the House would agree, we do not want to do anything that would interfere with the police process.
Session: Topical Questions
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Our constituents must interact with many Government agencies each week to renew their passport or driving licence or to submit their tax returns. Despite record numbers of bureaucrats, productivity remains low, which results in many errors and vast delays for our constituents. The answers to my written parliamentary questions confirm that there is no proper performance management of our civil servants, corrective action or even dismissals for continued poor performance.
Context
The question is a follow-up to the initial query, focusing on constituent interactions with government agencies and highlighting issues of low productivity, errors, and delays. The MP also mentions that answers to written parliamentary questions confirm there is no proper performance management of civil servants.
Satvir Kaur
I think it is ironic that Opposition Members complain about civil servants but did nothing when they were in power. Instead, this Government are updating the performance management framework, incentivising those who deliver and tackling underperformance as soon as it arises. To do this, we are changing the rules to ensure a closer, more effective link between pay and performance, with larger awards for the highest performers, and strengthening the minimum standards so that those who fail to manage the performance of their teams are quickly identified.
Session: Civil Service Performance Management Plans
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What assessment has been made of the effectiveness of performance management plans in the civil service? Our constituents must interact with many Government agencies each week to renew their passport or driving licence or to submit their tax returns. Despite record numbers of bureaucrats, productivity remains low, which results in many errors and vast delays for our constituents.
Context
The question arises from concerns over the effectiveness of current civil service performance management plans and their impact on constituent interactions with government agencies. The MP highlights record numbers of bureaucrats but points to low productivity, leading to errors and delays for constituents.
Satvir Kaur
Departments are responsible for setting their own performance plans, subject to centrally set performance management frameworks. This Government are focused on a high-performing civil service, which is why we have recently announced changes to the senior civil service performance system that will see the performance of top civil servants linked to key performance indicators set by their Ministers, and underperformers held to tougher standards.
Session: Civil Service Performance Management Plans
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People should have the right to protest but need responsibilities. Fringe groups feel emboldened to protest supporting terrorism contrary to British values. What steps is the Department taking to ensure these individuals face prosecution for openly supporting fundamentalist Islamist ideology and deportation if they have no right?
Context
The questioner raises concerns about fringe groups protesting in support of terrorist ideologies, feeling emboldened by the right to protest.
Jake Richards
This is a matter for the Home Secretary. Although there is a right to protest, those individuals should face full legal consequences where they contravene the law.
Session: Right to Protest
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Unemployment increased from 4.2% to 5.2% over 18 months, with 1 million young people not in employment, education or training. The Conservative party criticizes Labour's policies for job destruction and anti-growth measures. Will the Secretary of State commit that unemployment will be lower at the end of this Parliament than it was at the start?
Context
Unemployment increased from 4.2% to 5.2% over 18 months, with 1 million young people not in employment, education or training. The Conservative party criticizes Labour's policies for job destruction and anti-growth measures.
Pat McFadden
The hon. Member is new to his position. The OBR forecast employment to rise in every year of the forecast period.
Session: Unemployment
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A new report by the Prosperity Institute is highly critical of the Government’s net zero policies and their adverse impact on the broader economy, and my constituents’ fuel bills continue to soar because of the Government’s reluctance to use more traditional sources of fuel. Will the Minister commit to raising that with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, because such ideologically driven polices are having an adverse impact on the bills of my constituents?
Context
A new report by the Prosperity Institute criticizes the Government's net zero policies, stating they negatively impact fuel bills. Mr Bedford is concerned about his constituents' energy costs due to reliance on traditional fuel sources.
Torsten Bell (The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury)
Energy bills are too high because the Tory party left us dependent on the rollercoaster of gas prices. Wholesale gas prices today remain more than double what they were at the start of 2020. If Conservative Members think that is some kind of advert for staying on gas forever, they are living in cloud cuckoo land.
Session: Energy Bills
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As a result of this Government’s economic vandalism, unemployment continues to rise, particularly among young people and those with disabilities. Now more than ever, it is crucial that we support people back into work, but the Access to Work scheme is overly bureaucratic and faces significant delays. Indeed, at the weekend, one of my constituents told me they had been asked by a Department official to fill in a fraudulent timesheet in order to be paid on time. What is the Minister doing to get this programme back on track so that disabled people have the support they deserve and are contributing to the broader economy?
Context
There are issues with bureaucracy and delays in the Access to Work scheme, impacting disabled people's ability to get timely support.
Diana Johnson (Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions)
As I just set out to the hon. Member for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe (David Chadwick), there have been some problems with Access to Work, but it is this Government who are dealing with them. We have already put in resources, with a particular focus on individuals who are moving into work to make sure they get access to whatever support they need. Again, I am very happy to provide further details of what additional support we have put in, but it is this Government who are actually dealing with these problems and ensuring that people with disabilities and long-term health conditions have what they need to support them into work and to keep them in work.
Session: Support into Work Health Conditions
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Will the Secretary of State commit to reviewing the green levies and taxes that continue to drive up energy prices for hard-working families?
Context
Since the Government came to office, the average household energy bill has increased by £200.
Ed Miliband
The hon. Gentleman is wrong, if he listened to my answer earlier, because actually bills across 2025 were lower than in 2024. He should welcome our measures to cut bills by £150, but I am afraid that those on his Front Bench do not support us.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Justice Secretary may have complete faith in the independence of the judiciary; sadly, I do not. We have seen a plethora of cases, particularly involving freedom of speech, where the judiciary has arguably been influenced by political correctness and the virtue signalling of bodies such as the Sentencing Council. If his proposals are designed to reduce the backlog, why do they not include a sunset clause?
Context
Concerns about the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, particularly in cases involving freedom of speech.
David Lammy (The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice)
I completely reject what the hon. Gentleman said. It is an absolute essential foundation of our democracy that all of us in this House and in government respect the independence of the judiciary. I remind him that it is precisely because of the judiciary’s independence that it is not able to answer for itself. The Lord Chancellor has that responsibility, and I will do it robustly.
Session: Jury Trials Proposal Impact
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In their first Budget, the Government hiked taxes on employers, leading to a sustained increase in unemployment. Earlier this year, we saw a botched attempt to reform welfare, which is now going to cost us more in welfare spending, and in the Chancellor’s “Nightmare before Christmas” Budget, she hammered hard-working families with yet more tax rises. Why do the Government loathe aspiration and hard work in favour of an economy based on welfare and state dependency?
Context
The Conservative MP questioned the government's approach to welfare reform, pointing out that it has led to increased spending while also potentially harming hard-working families.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Pat McFadden)
The hon. Gentleman will find that the welfare budget had risen three times as fast as a proportion of GDP under the previous government compared to what is projected under this Government. We have begun to make changes through the reform to universal credit—that is more change in the system than his party introduced in many years—and, critically, to employment support for both the long-term sick and disabled and the young unemployed.
Session: Welfare Spending Economic Impact
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What discussions has the Secretary of State had with the SNP Government in Scotland, whose luddite approach and ideological blinkers prevent Torness, Dounreay and Hunterston from being considered for future nuclear projects—and all the jobs and investment that go with them?
Context
The Scottish Government opposes new nuclear projects, citing ideological reasons. This opposition affects the consideration of Torness, Dounreay and Hunterston for future nuclear projects.
The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)
This at least seems to be an occasion for which there is genuine cross-party consensus. Not only have we urged a different approach from the Scottish Government—and I do so again—but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has already asked Great British Energy Nuclear to begin assessing Scotland’s capability for new build nuclear sites.
Session: New Nuclear Sites
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Pension scheme trustees have an obligation to make decisions that they believe are in the best interests of savers, which is otherwise known as their fiduciary duty. The reserve powers in the Pension Schemes Bill could force investment in Government vanity projects, which is contrary to that duty. Does the Minister agree with me and much of the pension industry that mandation is a massive state overreach and is gambling with the futures of those saving for retirement?
Context
The Pension Schemes Bill could force pension funds to invest in government projects, which some argue goes against the trustees' fiduciary duty.
Torsten Bell (The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury)
No, not at all.
Session: Regional Economic Growth Pension Funds
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My constituent Kelly Hatfield sadly lost her father Ken Purnell as a result of the covid-19 vaccination. The family received a vaccine damage payment, yet the sum, which has not increased since 2007, falls short of the loss, trauma and long-term financial impact on these families. Will the Minister explain why that one-off payment has not been inflation-adjusted and will she commit to reviewing its adequacy and fairness?
Context
Mr Bedford referenced a constituent, Kelly Hatfield, who lost her father Ken Purnell due to the COVID-19 vaccination. The family received a vaccine damage payment that has not been inflation-adjusted since 2007.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Ashley Dalton)
The vaccine damage payment scheme is not a compensation scheme but a one-off payment. It is important to state that. As I have said, we recognise that there are concerns, which campaigners have raised, and their input is shaping our ongoing consideration of reforms to the scheme. All vaccines in the UK are authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which is an independent body recognised globally for its high safety standards.
Session: Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme
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The Climate Change Act forces Ministers to meet rigid, legally binding emissions targets, regardless of the economic consequences. Does the Secretary of State accept that this law has directly contributed to higher energy bills, the loss of British industry and declining competitiveness, and that the only sensible course of action is to repeal it?
Context
Concerns about the economic consequences of legally binding emissions targets set by the Climate Change Act.
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Ed Miliband)
No, and British business roundly condemned the Conservatives when they came out with that argument. The hon. Gentleman should have a word with the right hon. Member for East Surrey (Claire Coutinho), sitting on the Front Bench, who said just in March last year—life comes at you fast, Mr Speaker—that Britain was the “poster child” for net zero. She was lauding everything associated with that, and now she wants to abolish the Act that made it possible.
Session: Net Zero Evidence-based Policy
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Given the national security risk posed by some of those who cross the English channel illegally, I ask the Minister to look again at using military assets to physically stop those small boats from landing in the first place. Will he do that today?
Context
The MP references the national security risk posed by illegal migrants crossing the English Channel and the need for physical measures to stop small boats from landing.
Luke Pollard (Minister of State, Ministry of Defence)
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his question and I share his passion for keeping our country safe. However, I refer him to the work of Operation Isotrope, a military operation undertaken by the last Conservative Government that put the Navy in charge of securing the English channel. That operation concluded that naval assets were not suitable for stopping small boats; it is already a dangerous crossing and using military assets only made it more dangerous. The armed forces are now assisting the Home Office and Border Security Command, looking at how we can provide accommodation to close asylum hotels and speed up the processing of asylum applications.
Session: Channel Crossings Military Assets
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The best way to reduce poverty is for people to be in work, but as a result of this Government’s damaging economic policies, we have seen youth unemployment rise by 6% since the general election. What representations will the Secretary of State make to the Chancellor ahead of the Budget to ensure that more damage is not done?
Context
Bedford noted that youth unemployment has risen by 6% since the general election and questioned how the Secretary of State would address this issue with the Chancellor ahead of the Budget.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Liz Kendall)
The Labour party believes that everybody who can work must work. The hon. Gentleman should look at his own party’s record: progress on the disability employment gap and the lone parent employment rate stalled under its watch, and economic inactivity rose. We are the only country in the G7 whose employment rate has not got back to pre-pandemic levels. We are overhauling our employment system to help more people into work, and to get on in work. I am proud of our record; maybe he should look at his own.
Session: Poverty Reduction 2025-09-01 (1)
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On Friday I had the privilege of visiting LOROS, Leicestershire’s much-respected palliative care charity. At full capacity it could offer 31 beds to local residents, but sadly, because of the measures that the Chancellor has introduced, such as the national insurance hike, it now operates only 18 beds. May I ask the Chancellor to look again at softening the impact of her measures, particularly on charities such as LOROS?
Context
The MP visits LOROS, a palliative care charity in his constituency. He expresses concern about the reduced capacity due to national insurance hikes.
Rachel Reeves
I am sure that the relevant Health Minister would be happy to meet representatives of the hospice. The Health Secretary set out the settlement for hospices at the end of last year to compensate financially for the increases in national insurance, but those increases in national insurance are funding the NHS, which helps fund our hospices.
Session: Topical Questions
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Organised gangs operate in many spheres—sex, drugs and, as reported in the media, our welfare system. This totally undermines public confidence in the system. Will the Minister make representations to the Home Secretary to ensure that foreign nationals who are found to have abused our welfare system are removed from the country?
Context
Peter Bedford raises concerns about the impact of organised gangs on public confidence in the welfare system, citing media reports and suggesting a need for stricter measures.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Andrew Western)
I am very happy to raise with the Home Office the issue that the hon. Gentleman has highlighted, but I would say to him, and indeed to his colleagues on the Opposition Front Bench, that what genuinely undermines confidence in the welfare system is the record of the previous Government, who allowed welfare fraud to spiral towards £10 billion a year and failed to take the powers needed, as we are doing now, to get that number down.
Session: Welfare Fraud Organised Crime
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Can the Minister give assurances to football fans in my constituency that with the burdens of the Employment Rights Bill, the hike in national insurance contributions and the introduction of yet another regulator, there will not be a hike in ticket prices?
Context
Concerns about the Employment Rights Bill, national insurance contributions hike, and introduction of regulator impacting ticket prices.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)
I simply do not recognise the premise of the hon. Gentleman’s question. The Government are committed to our manifesto commitment. The Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism reminds me that it is a year since the general election; prior to that, the right hon. Member for Daventry (Stuart Andrew) and I were on the previous Football Governance Bill Committee, where we spent many hours together. This Government have strengthened that Bill, and fans will now be consulted on ticket pricing.
Session: Lower League Football Clubs Funding
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Employers in my constituency tell me that they are less likely to employ young people as a result of the Employment Rights Bill because of the increased risk of employing someone at the start of their career. What representations has the Minister made to her colleagues to ensure that the most damaging parts of that legislation are softened?
Context
The question addresses the concerns about employers being less likely to hire young people due to increased risk under the Employment Rights Bill.
The Minister for Employment (Alison McGovern)
The House may know that, on coming into office, the Secretary of State and I totally changed the way the Department for Work and Pensions approaches employers. We want to serve them much better, and we have given them a single point of contact. Having met many businesses over the past six or seven months, my experience has been that they have vacancies and want us to help fill them. We will do that so that we can serve employers and young people alike.
Session: Young People not in Education, Employment or Training
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The Government have committed to providing 700,000 extra emergency dental appointments but in the midlands the units of dental activity rate is just 83% and there is no additional funding for the integrated care boards. Will the Minister therefore give assurance to my constituents that he will fully deliver on that promise?
Context
The Government have committed to providing 700,000 extra emergency dental appointments but there is concern about funding in the midlands.
Stephen Kinnock
I give the hon. Member that assurance. We have been clear that every ICB has a target and that was transparently published and we will be monitoring it. I am holding regular meetings with officials to check that every single ICB is on track to hit those targets. If ICBs are not on track to hit those targets, we will want to know why.
Session: Topical Questions
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Given that there is no binding legal basis for the ceding of the Chagos islands and that the deal will cost the hard-pressed British taxpayer north of £9 billion, £18 billion or possibly £50 billion a year, will the Secretary of State confirm what total financial liabilities will be brought to the UK and whether they will be funded from the uplift in the defence budget announced in the spring statement?
Context
The UK and Mauritius have been negotiating a treaty regarding the sovereignty of the Chagos islands, which includes financial implications for the UK taxpayer.
Stephen Doughty
A financial element is crucial to protect the operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia, which is vital for our security and that of our allies. Once the treaty is signed, it will be put before Parliament for scrutiny before ratification in the usual way, and this will include costs.
Session: Mauritius Treaty Chagos Islands
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At the weekend, I was speaking to residents of Braunstone Town, and many, particularly the elderly, were frightened by the use of off-road bikes and similar vehicles given the noises they make and the risk to pedestrians. Will the Secretary of State assure me that the Government are taking the matter seriously and that they will empower local police forces to bring those driving the bikes to justice?
Context
The MP mentioned concerns from residents in Braunstone Town who are frightened by the noise and danger posed by off-road bikes, particularly affecting older people.
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Yvette Cooper)
The hon. Member makes an important point. Often, particularly for older people, the way in which the bikes are used is just dangerous. The deliberate ramping up of the noise to intimidate and scare people is disgraceful antisocial behaviour. That is why we are increasing policing powers and why we want to work with policing on things like the drone use and other measures to tackle antisocial behaviour.
Session: Off-road Bikes
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It is right that the welfare system supports those with disabilities. However, does the Secretary of State agree that social media influencers who are teaching people to game the Motability system in order to get free vehicles is a disgrace? If so, what does she intend to do about it?
Context
The MP raises concerns about social media influencers teaching people to game the Motability system.
Andrew Western
The hon. Gentleman will be aware that this issue falls under the umbrella of wider fraud. We inherited an appalling level of fraud in the welfare system under the previous Government. Our fraud Bill goes some way to tackling that, as part of a broader package of £8.6 billion—the largest ever package for tackling fraud.
Session: Topical Questions
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Given that public sector procurement accounts for a third of all public sector spending, what steps is the Minister taking to ensure that it is less siloed, more joined up, and as efficient as the private sector?
Context
Public sector procurement accounts for a third of all public sector spending and there is an ongoing need to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
Georgia Gould (Minister for Civil Society)
We are using AI to streamline procurement and have set up a new commercial innovation challenge at the heart of government. We also aim to procure collaboratively, crack down on excessive costs of private frameworks, and ensure transparency in our processes.
Session: Public Procurement Support for SMEs
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On that point, it has been widely reported that the Chancellor is planning to slash the amount of cash that savers can save in ISAs from £20,000 to £4,000 a year. Will the Chancellor rule out this punitive measure, which will see savings drop and push even more people into income tax?
Context
The MP raises a concern regarding the possibility of reducing cash savings limits in ISAs from £20,000 to £4,000 annually. The question is about whether this will be implemented.
Emma Reynolds (Economic Secretary to the Treasury)
We are committed to promoting savings and investment, as I said in an earlier answer. One measure we are looking at is the Financial Conduct Authority’s review of the advice guidance boundary. As I said in a previous answer, I do not want it just to be the 8% of people who can afford financial advice who reap the rewards of investing in our economy. We keep all taxes under review.
Session: Saving
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Why has the 2018 regulations on animal breeding focused merely on dogs and not cat breeding? Can the Minister assure me that he will look at updating the regulations to include cats?
Context
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018 require licences for dog breeding businesses but do not explicitly cover cats.
The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs (Daniel Zeichner)
Under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018, anyone in the business of breeding and selling cats as pets needs a valid licence from their local authority. The Minister acknowledges that there is room for updating regulations to address current feline breeding practices based on the recommendations from the Animal Welfare Committee.
Session: Cat Breeding Regulation
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Jason Hoganson was wrongly released under the Government’s early release scheme. Last week, he was convicted of assaulting his ex-partner just a day after he was freed under that botched scheme. Does the Secretary of State agree that this shocking case, and cases like it, continue to undermine the public’s trust and confidence in our justice system?
Context
Mr Bedford cited a specific case of Jason Hoganson, who was wrongly released under the Government’s early release scheme and later convicted for assault against his ex-partner.
Shabana Mahmood (Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice)
What undermines confidence in the justice system is running out of prison places, which is the inheritance the Conservative Government left for this Government. That is the mess that we are cleaning up. The hon. Gentleman will also be aware that the previous Government’s end-of-custody supervised licence scheme was also an early release scheme, but without any of the measures on accountability and transparency, or the wider set of exclusions, that that we introduced with the SDS40 scheme.
Session: Public Confidence in the Justice System
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Research shows that money habits are instilled in young people from the age of seven. What are the Government doing to improve financial education in schools, particularly in England, where that is not currently on the national curriculum?
Context
Research indicates that children's financial habits are established by age seven, yet financial education is not included in the national curriculum in England.
Bridget Phillipson
We have launched our curriculum and assessment review to make sure that issues such as the one that the hon. Gentleman identifies are taken into account. It is a shame that we seem to hear nothing from the Opposition but negativity about the curriculum and assessment review. We are determined to make sure that all our children get a brilliant education, with high standards and strong academic outcomes, as well as the kind of life skills that he is right to identify.
Session: Topical Questions
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A report published today shows that 60,000 hours are taken up each year investigating non-crime hate incidents. Does the Minister agree that confidence in the police could be restored if they prioritised their time and resources to investigate actual crime rather than hurt feelings?
Context
A report published today highlights that 60,000 hours annually are dedicated to investigating non-crime hate incidents. This raises concerns about the allocation of police resources and public confidence in law enforcement.
Diana R. Johnson
This Government have made very clear what our priorities are around safer streets and where the focus should be for policing: on halving knife crime and halving violence against women and girls over the next decade. The Home Secretary has also been very clear that a common-sense approach must be taken to non-crime hate incidents. We will work with the inspectorate and the College of Policing on the matter.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Secretary of State agree that inconsistencies create a perception of a two-tier justice system?
Context
A tweet resulted in a 31-month sentence, whereas an individual who incited physical violence received a lesser sentence. This raises concerns about the perception of a two-tier justice system.
Shabana Mahmood
It is incumbent on Members to ensure that such a perception does not take hold and not to inappropriately compare sentences handed out in different types of cases. As the hon. Gentleman well knows and every Member of this House should know, sentences in individual cases are a matter for the independent judges who hear those cases; the trials unfold in front of them.
Session: Topical Questions
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I recently used Whipps Cross hospital, knowing firsthand how it desperately needs redevelopment. Does my right hon. Friend agree that finally getting this project moving under a Labour Government will also deliver thousands of much-needed homes in the community?
Context
The previous Government's photo opportunities contrast with the lack of actual progress on Whipps Cross hospital. The project is seen as vital for healthcare improvements and local growth.
Wes Streeting
My hon. Friend is correct, as this project involves not just necessary hospitals but also economic benefits such as construction jobs, new homes, and improved transport infrastructure.
Session: Whipps Cross Hospital Redevelopment
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Does the Minister agree with the head of the GMB union that the Government's plans to ban new licences for oil and gas will result in exporting jobs and importing virtue?
Context
The question questions the Government's plans to ban new licences for oil and gas, suggesting this will lead to exporting jobs and importing virtue.
Sarah Jones
I agree with the GMB in its warm congratulations for our announcements yesterday to deliver carbon capture and storage across the country. We are of course working closely with our trade union colleagues. It is interesting: in opposition, the Conservatives suddenly quote the unions, when they refused to even meet them in government. We work very closely with the GMB and all our trade unions to ensure that we have a just energy transition and that we are creating the jobs and skills of the future by becoming a clean energy superpower.
Session: Job Creation Industrial Communities
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What action is the Government taking to support small and medium-sized businesses in getting access to finance, so that they can grow for the future?
Context
The MP inquires about the government's action plan to support small and medium-sized businesses in securing access to financial resources.
Jonathan Reynolds
I thank the hon. Member for his question. Positive developments have occurred through the work of the British Business Bank. The Government feel that the landscape for public finance institutions is busy, and the key policy is to ensure the national wealth fund aligns with priorities in this area, expanding work done and ensuring consistency so businesses understand the landscape.
Session: Small Businesses Economic Growth
View All Questions -->
Do the Government recognise the importance of workers' saving for their later years? Do they recognise that any moves to reduce the 25% tax-free drawdown or reductions in tax relief on pension contributions would be a disincentive and lead to more pensioner poverty?
Context
Concerns arise over the potential reduction of tax-free drawdown and tax relief on pension contributions, potentially leading to more pensioner poverty.
Rachel Reeves
For many people who work hard and save for retirement, the money is not enough. Billions of pounds could be unlocked in the UK economy through reforms that could increase pension pots by £11,000. The review aims to ensure a good deal for pensioners and a decent return on investment.
Session: Occupational Pensions Tax Relief
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Local Government Reorganisation: Referendums
21 January 2026
Responding: Alison McGovern
Main Concerns
["Since the announcement of local government reorganisation plans and rumours about an extension to Leicester's city council boundary, Peter Bedford has led a campaign against it. He mentions that residents in his constituency are concerned about development pressures on green spaces and the potential for increased council tax."]
Specific Asks
['Peter Bedford calls for referendums to be introduced so communities can have a say before any local government reorganisation takes place.']
VAT Registration Threshold: SMEs
24 June 2025
Responding: James Murray
Main Concerns
["Businesses in the UK have to be VAT registered when their turnover reaches just £90,000—an arbitrary figure. This poses challenges for small businesses like Chris and Annie Ensell's wedding photography business, Bloom Weddings, who face the agonising decision between limiting the number of weddings they agree to service or passing on increased costs to their customers."]
Specific Asks
['I ask the Minister to show real support for small businesses by committing to review the VAT registration threshold and pushing it beyond £90,000 to encourage growth and reduce regulatory compliance costs.']
Pub and Hospitality Sector
22 October 2024
Responding: Gareth Thomas
Main Concerns
['The pub and hospitality sector has long been vital to the British economy, contributing £140 billion in economic activity and providing employment for 3.5 million people, many of whom are young workers aged 16 to 24. However, the industry faces numerous challenges such as increased input costs due to global events like the Ukraine conflict and a significant decline during the pandemic, with output decreasing by 42% between 2019 and 2020 and 10% of hospitality businesses closing.']
Specific Asks
['The lead MP asks the Government to support the sector through measures such as continuing business rate relief, considering 20% draught relief for beer, reforming planning and licensing laws, cutting national insurance contributions for lower-paid workers, and promoting apprenticeships. He is particularly concerned about potential increases in alcohol duty and employer National Insurance Contributions.']
Local Government Reorganisation
07 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Timms Review: Interim Report
09 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Opposition Day
07 July 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Milburn Review: Interim Report
02 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Debate on the Address
14 May 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The UK labour market is performing well with high employment rates, low unemployment compared to OECD countries, and rising real wages. The government's economic management has put the country in a be...
Insurance Act 2015 (Amendment) Bill - Lords amendments and Government motions to disagree
15 April 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves that the House disagrees with Lords amendment 1. Does not provide additional details in the provided text.
Youth Unemployment
17 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Youth Unemployment 2026-01-28
28 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Helen Whately argues that youth unemployment is rising due to the Labour Government's policies, such as increasing employer’s National Insurance contributions, reducing business rates relief for retai...
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2025-11-24
24 November 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The clause would introduce the new Schedule in NS1, which transfers to mayors of mayoral strategic authorities the power to approve a local highway authority to charge undertakers who are executing wo...
Budget Press Briefings 2025-11-17
17 November 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Chief Secretary to the Treasury confirm whether the Chancellor or any other minister has sanctioned briefings on potential budget tax measures or OBR forecasts to journalists, and will he inv...
Proposed Leicester City Council boundary expansion
08 September 2026
Error: Processing timed out
View Full Petition -->
Attendance
70.4%
69 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
41
41.8% of votes
No Votes
28
28.6% of votes
Abstentions
29
29.6% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
1
PMQs Asked
42
Ministerial Questions Asked
32
House of Commons Debates Involved
3
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
1
Petitions Presented
98
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-73% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+214% above average
This MP:
42
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+19% above average
This MP:
3
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+556% above average
This MP:
32
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-59% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
+2% above average
This MP:
70.4
Average:
69.2
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Peter Bedford's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.